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​Topics covered : life in the Irish Navy, leadership, being a woman in a male-dominated environment, drug interdiction operations, UN peacekeeping missions, traumatic pregnancy, child loss, grief, motherhood, mental health and emotional wellbeing. ​(Please take care while listening, particularly if any of these topics feel sensitive or close to home.​) This week, I speak to former Navy Captain Marie Gleeson. Marie lives in Tipperary with her husband John and their two daughters, Laoise and Muireann. Raised on a dairy farm as the eldest of six children, she went on to become one of the first women commissioned into the Irish Navy at a time when women had only recently been allowed into the service. Over a 21-year career, Marie served at sea and ashore in senior leadership roles and eventually became Commanding Officer of the LE Aoife. She was involved in major operations including a UN peacekeeping mission in Chad, the rescue of a Canadian submarine and a seven hundred and fifty million euro cocaine seizure during a high-stakes drug interdiction mission at sea. But behind the extraordinary career was profound personal heartbreak. In this conversation, Marie speaks openly and honestly about the devastating loss of her baby son Ciarán​ and how grief completely altered her understanding of strength and leadership. Marie’s memoir, ​'Be Like the Sea​ - Life, Learnings and Leadership from an Irish Navy Captain', is out now​ and it's fantastic.  Helplines​ : ​Ireland helplines and hotlines You can ​connect with Marie ​on LinkedIn, Instagram or you can email her : [email protected] ​And if this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone you think might connect with it and don’t forget to follow Ready to be Real ​s​o you don't miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Real Take, is a powerful moment from my recent conversation with Professor of Psychology and bestselling author Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan. Katriona speaks about growing up feeling deeply unloved and the many ways she felt hungry in childhood. Despite experiencing extreme poverty, addiction, abuse and homelessness growing up, Katriona went on to completely transform her life. Today, she uses her voice, her position and her privilege to help lift others up and advocate for inclusion, opportunity and education. She also reflects on what helps her now, the importance of affirmations and learning how to value yourself with greater compassion. Born in Coventry to Irish parents, Katriona later moved to Dublin where she entered Trinity College through the access programme and went on to earn a PhD in psychology. She is now a professor at Maynooth University, is married to Dave, has three sons; John, Seán and Tadhg and is also a proud grandmother. You can hear my full conversation with Katriona now on Ready to be Real, where we discuss body image, hypervigilance, self-worth, privilege, diet culture, life under patriarchy and Katriona’s powerful new book Hungry: A Biography of my Body. You can also listen back to our first conversation together from November 2023. Books: Poor Hungry: A Biography of my Body Follow Ready to be Real on Instagram: ​@readytoberealpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered: Body image, diet culture, good girl conditioning, life under patriarchy, poverty, trauma, hypervigilance, affirmations, self-belief, healing, ageing, motherhood, connection​, privilege. In this episode I sit down once again with Professor of Psychology and bestselling author​, the extraordinary Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan. When Katriona first joined the podcast in November 2023, her memoir Poor had been released and since then, the book has become a phenomenon; winning Biography of the Year and Newcomer of the Year at the Irish Book Awards, remaining in Ireland’s top-ten nonfiction chart for two years, being translated into seven languages and adapted into a sold-out stage production at Dublin’s Gate Theatre. Now Katriona is back to talk about her powerful new book 'Hungry: A Biography of my Body.' In this deeply honest conversation, Katriona reflects on growing up in the 80s and 90s​ and the culture of shame around women’s bodies​ and the lasting impact of ​extreme poverty​. ​She also speaks about hypervigilance, self-worth, privilege and learning how to exist in your body with greater compassion. About Katriona: Born in Coventry to Irish parents, ​her early life was marked by poverty, addiction, teenage pregnancy and homelessness. In 1998 she moved to Dublin, where she entered Trinity College through the access programme and went on to earn a PhD in psychology. She is now a professor at Maynooth University and is a passionate advocate for inclusion and opportunity through education. She ​is married to Dave and has 3 sons: John​, Seán and Tadhg​ and she​'s also a proud grandmother. Books: 'Poor' and  'Hungry: A Biography of my Body' Other related episodes include conversations with Sarah Nicole Landry and Mary Kate Slattery. Follow Ready to be Real on Instagram: @readytoberealpodcast Ready to be Real (@readytoberealpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s Real Take comes from a powerful conversation I recorded in October 2024 with photographer, filmmaker and activist Misan Harriman. Misan is Chair of ​cultural hub, the Southbank Centre, an ambassador for Save the Children, and one of the most compassionate and courageous voices speaking up about injustice and inequality in the world today. Through his photography, filmmaking and activism, he has consistently used his platform to amplify voices that are too often ignored​; especially concerning children​. Over the past number of weeks, Misan has been the target of what many believe is a deeply disturbing smear campaign by sections of the UK press. I stand with Misan. If you would like to support him, please consider adding your name to th​is ​​Petition  To listen to the full conversation with Misan from October 2024, search ​'Misan Harriman: Bridge Building​' wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Addiction, shame, awareness, compassion, recovery. In this week’s episode of Ready to Be Real, I speak to Dr. Brian Pennie - neuroscientist, podcast host and former heroin addict. I first met Brian back in 2020 when his memoir Bonus Time was released, and I remember being completely blown away by his honesty and insight. Since then, life has continued to evolve for Brian. He’s now living a very fulfilled life with his partner Natalie, continuing his work in neuroscience, delivering talks, hosting his own podcast and helping people better understand addiction, behaviour and recovery. Brian spent 15 years addicted to heroin before getting clean in October 2013. In this conversation, we explore addiction from both a neuroscience point of view and through Brian’s lived experience - what happens in the brain when addiction takes hold, why recovery can be so difficult, and what can genuinely help somebody who is struggling. Following on from last week’s conversation with Tony O’Reilly about gambling addiction, this feels like a really important companion episode. You can find Brian online BrianPennie.com – Change is Possible and through his podcast Change is Possible. And as always, thank you so much for supporting the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and review Ready to Be Real wherever you get your podcasts - it really helps. Watch Brian's documentaries : Hooked: How Addiction Hijacks Your Brain - RTE Player Other episodes to listen to on addiction : Tony O'Reilly, Nikki Hayes and Gavin Meenan. Books : Bonus Time - A true story of surviving the worst and discovering the magic of every moment by Brian Pennie In the realm of hungry ghosts by Dr. Gabor Maté Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All Resources & Support If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you love, please know that support is available and you are not alone. Support links: Samaritans Ireland ​Ireland helplines and hotlines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.